A long queue of inbound vessels has formed at the outer anchorage of Chattogram port as sufficient berths are unavailable due to delays in scheduled departures caused by disruptions in container movement late last week.

Operators of prime movers, which are vehicles used for transporting import-export containers, had abstained from work for more than three days due to a dispute with security personnel at Chattogram DC Park in Sitakunda upazila.

And although cargo movement resumed on Friday night, the acute backlog of containers in port yards and private inland container depots (ICDs) may persist for another two weeks or more, according to port users.

The three-day stalemate delayed the scheduled departure of at least six vessels, with each extending their stay by one to four days in hopes of securing their previously allotted containers.

However, four of these vessels left the port with less than their anticipated load as 1,900 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), comprising 900 TEUs of export containers and 1,000 TEUs of empty containers, were left behind.

And since these vessels had to stay additional days at the port jetties, berthing delays occurred for other incoming vessels.

As of yesterday morning, a total of 14 vessels seeking berths were waiting at the outer anchorage of the port.

When transport workers began their strike on February 5, only three vessels were awaiting berths. But with delays lasting between one and three days, other vessels added to their numbers.

Berth operators assume that some of these inbound vessels may have to wait even longer since some of the outbound vessels have extended their stay to collect the allotted load.

Besides, import, export, and empty containers have piled up at port yards and ICDs amid the halt in cargo movement.

The port's busiest terminals – New Mooring Container Terminal and Chittagong Container Terminal – have reached 80 percent of their full capacity of 26,000 TEUs.

Nazmul Haque, executive director of Saif Powertec Limited, which operates the two terminals, said the backlog began because no containers were transferred to and from ICDs during the three-day strike.

He added that on average, more than 2,500 TEUs of import containers are delivered or transferred to ICDs each day. And while this did not happen during the three-day period, another 3,000 TEUs had arrived at the time.

Haque also said at least 40 percent of the port's yard space must be kept empty to ensure smooth operations. And considering the situation, he fears it may take two weeks to clear the backlog.

Likewise, ICDs are struggling to clear the backlog, with 19 that handle import-export containers currently holding double their full capacity.

These 19 ICDs usually accommodate 7,000 to 8,000 TEUs of export containers. But due to the three-day stalemate, the number of export-laden containers they now hold has reached 14,000 TEUs.

Ruhul Amin Sikder, secretary general of the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association, said they were still occupied with 12,000 TEUs as of yesterday afternoon even though a significant volume was transported since the strike ended.

"Any sort of stalemate creates a chain effect at every stage of the supply chain, causing backlogs in every facility," said Sikder, who fears that it will take another 15 days to clear the backlog.